Italian troops and Iraqi insurgents clashed Tuesday in the southern city of Nasiriyah, killing at least 15 Iraqis and wounding 35, an Italian news agency reported. Twelve Italians troops were slightly wounded, the Italian Defense Ministry reported. The Apcom agency quoted U.S.-led coalition spokeswoman Paola Della Casa as saying the Iraqi attackers used civilians as human shields during the attack. She said a woman and two children were among the dead.
| Brave "insurgents", hiding behind women and children. |
According to the Defense Ministry in Rome, the fighting occurred early in the day as gunmen opened fire on Italian forces patrolling the streets and bridges over the Euphrates, trying to restore orders after violent protests in the area. The Italians returned fire, and at the end of the gunbattle regained control of the main bridges, said a statement by the Defense Ministry. The ministry said the coalition headquarters building in Nasiriyah also came under attack during the clashes.
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